Wednesday, August 6, 2014

A clear day! Rode down to Vittorio Veneto and up over Fadalto to Lago di Santa Croce. Past the lake I turned right toward Pieve d'Alpago. Long climb through Tignes, Pieve and Plois to the start of the real steepness: Monte Dolada. Here I finally had to started using the 34-30 gear, yet still I was struggling. But I didn't stop once to rest, which may be the first time I made it up Dolada non-stop. At the end of pavement (1495m) I panted for a moment and then began descending. Lots of drainage channels to jump but otherwise a good road. A guy was coming up on a mountain bike making a whirring noise: it had an electric motor. 18% grade or not, that's cheating. At Pieve I was supposed to take a shortcut I had researched, but I was so tired I completely forgot. So I went several km out of the way. At Puos d'Alpago I began the climb to Tambre and Il Cansiglio. This is less steep than Dolada but if you're tired it's a good challenge. After crossing Piancansiglio I climbed up to La Crosetta (1150m) and descended to Sarone. Felt hot down here after being up high. The hilly climb home took another hour, and then a nice soak in the bath. Ahhh. Good ride.

View of Alpago toward the east from Monte Dolada

Monte Dolada on left: the white house in the trees is
Rifugio Dolomieu, end of the road